Fence wire fastener and post construction



A. E. WEBER Filed Aug. 24, 1936 2 Shee'hsSheet 1 In ven for Jrizorl Weier- A iiorn eys Jan. 12, 1937.

FENCE WIRE FASTENER AND POST'CONSTRUCTION llllll-llllllll 0o oooootuvd aaaoaooo oooooocaiaiwtfuoo uoooooooelflonoib w lL 0090000 Jan. 12, 1937. A. E. WEBER FENCE WIRE FASTENER AND POST CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig Inventor By M Aiigrneys Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FENCE WIRE FASTENER AND POST CONSTRUCTION Application August'24, 1936, Serial No. 97,668

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a structural assembly which may be unitarily referred to as a fence wire fastener and combined post construction, and it has reference in particular to a substantially T-shaped post having manually regulated, properly adjustable and retained wire fastening devices thereon.

Being generally conversant with the prior art to which the invention relates, I am prepared to point to the fact that the broad combination of a T-shaped post and a slidable or adjustable wire connecting fixture is not new. By way of contrast the present invention relates to a more finished, structurally refined and improved assemblage structurally perfected to accomplish the desired results in a more reliable and satisfactory manner.

One feature of the assemblage is predicated upon the especially designed T-shaped post wherein the plate or head portion thereof is provided along one edge with a series of holes, and provided along the opposite longitudinal edge with a series of selectively usable keeper notches.

A further feature of the invention has to do with the adoption and use of a wire fastening fixture or bracket expressly designed for coordination with the aforesaid post, wherein said bracket is provided at one end with a lug to engage the keeper notches and a spring-pressed latch pin for cooperation with the holes.

Of outstanding importance is the incorporation in the wire fastener of a ring-like member which constitutes the adapter element to accommodate barbed Wire, the same being provided with a simple, gravity-lowered, hand-lifted retainer to properly accommodate the wire.

Other features and advantages may become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate corresponding details or parts throughout the views:

Figure l is an elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of what may be conveniently described as a barbed wire fence and illustrating in particular the improved post and wire fastener assembly constructed in accordance with my ideas.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view designed to show to advantage the spring-pressed latch arrangement.

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken approximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the upper end portion of the improved T-shaped post.

Figure 5 is a section taken on the plane of the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail section on the line 66 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an elevational view of a modified form of wire attaching rings such as may be used in connection with an ordinary wooden fence post (not shown).

Considering now the metal fence post, it will be observed that this is denoted generally by the numeral 8 and is of T-shaped cross-sectional form. It includes a plate or head portion 9 and a rib portion [0. provide a series of properly spaced latch pins or holes ll. Along the opposite edge I provide a series of longitudinally spaced keeper notches l2, and these aline with the holes ll. That is to say, the topmost hole is in horizontal line with the topmost notch and. so on down the length of the post.

Attention is now called to the slidable and detachable fixture bracket 13 which is expressly designed for cooperation with the post 8. comprises a strap-like metal member l4 having its opposite ends bent laterally and then inturned to pro-vide what may be called adjusting and retaining hooks l5 and 16, respectively. In the crotch of the hook I5 is a suitable integral lug H which is in effect a keeper tooth, and this is selectively engageable with the notches 12 as is obvious. There is a U-shaped member I8 on the opposite hook Hi, this being on the bill portion of the hook and extending in what may be called an inward direction, that is, into the field. This serves as a guide and support for the spring-pressed latch pin 19, the spring being indicated at 20. The pin is provided with a suitable knob or finger-grip and the pointed end thereof is registerable with openings in the hook I6 and the adjacent portion M of the clip or fixture [3. Obviously, this places the springpressed latch in a position to engage any one of the holes ll. Consequently, we have a lugequipped hook H5 at one end in cooperation with notches l2, and a spring-pressed latch device at the opposite end to cooperate in a positive locking manner with the holes H.

The annular unit, which is in effect an attaching ring for the barbed fence wire 2|, is denoted unitarily by the numeral 22. It projects outwardly and is secured by a rivet or the like 23 to the central portion of the clip or fixture l3. It is sufficiently large to allow the fence wire to Along one longitudinal edge I This slip therethrough without interference from the barbs. This is a feature of note because it is to be observed that in this particular post and fastener arrangement the wire is not actually fix edly connected with the post. It is merely hung or attached sufficiently to the post to be properly supported without fastening. This means that wire tighteners and other devices at a remote point can be used to pull the wire back and forth without interference from the special adapter ring or annulus 22. As is shown to advantage in Figure 5, the ring has a segmental portion thereof formed into a swingable retainer, this being denoted by the numeral 24. It is .pivoted or hinged at one end as indicated at 25, and the free end is beveled as shown at 26 to cooperate with an adjacent beveled portion in the relative- 1y fixed part of the ring proper. This latch-like retainer 24 is at the bottom and in placing the wire therein, the wire is simply brought up against it and its wings inwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 5, allowing the wire to enter. It then drops down to closed position by gravity and locks the wire in place. When it is desired to remove the wire for any reason, the part 24 is lifted up with the finger, as is obvious, and the wire can be disconnected from the ring.

In some instances, instead of using this unit 22, in connection with the specially constructed metal fence post, it may be itself provided with a wood screw 21 forming an integral part thereof, as shown in Figure 7, so that it can be attached to a wooden post.

Novelty is thought to reside in one instance in the construction or adoption of the metal T- shaped post 8 characterized primarily by the plate portion 9 having a series of latch pin holes II on one side and a series of correspondingly located keeper notches l2 along the opposite side.

These are arranged in opposed pairs so that they may be used concurrently in conjunction with the adjustable detachable bracket 13. Thus, the bracket I3 can be slipped down over the post and put into desired position. Any number of brackets may be used on one post occording to the number of wires to be fastened thereto.

Secondly, proportionate novelty resides in the provision of the fixture or slidable bracket l3 of one-piece construction having hooked ends l5 and I6, wherein the hooked end I5 is provided with a keeper lug or tooth H, and the other hooked end l6 equipped with a spring-pressed latch thereon. It is to be noted that this latch extends inwardly, that is, in towards the field, whereas the wire accommodating ring 22 extends outwardly and hence there is no interference of the latch with the fence wire which must be pulled back and forth when made taut or let loose, as the case may be.

Further novelty is believed to exist in the device 22. This may be either a ring or an annulus or an equivalent loop for slidably supporting the fence wire on the post. In particular, it is new, and it is sufliciently large to allow the wire to pass back and forth therethrough without interfering with the barbs. It is specifically new in that it includes the pivoted retainer 24 which so effectively functions in allowing the wire to be placed in position or permitting it to be removed with requisite expediency.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a fence post T-shaped in cross-sectional form, the plate portion thereof being provided along one longitudinal edge with longitudinally spaced keeper notches, the opposite longitudinal edge being provided with correlated latch pin holes, and a detachable, bodily slidable, manually regulated fence wire fastening and supporting fixture embodying hooks embracing the edge portions of said plate, one hook being provided with a keeper lug engageable with the notches, and a spring-pressed latch mounted on the opposite hook and engageable with the holes.

2. As a component part of a structural assemblage of the class described, a fence wire attaching and supporting fixture comprising a metal strap having laterally bent end portions provided with inturned extremities defining guide and retaining hooks, a lug mounted in the crotch portion of one hook, a U-shaped member carried by the bill portion of the remaining hook, and a spring-pressed latch mounted on said U-shaped member and cooperable with said hook and the adjacent end of said strap in the manner and for the purposes described.

3. As a component part of a stmctural assemblage of the class described, a fence wire adapter and supporting unit comprising a ring having means for fastening it to a post, said ring being sufficiently large to allow a barbed wire to be slid freely therethrough for the purposes described, and said ring being provided on its bottom with a pivoted segmental portion constituting a gravity-lowered, finger-lifted fence wire retainer.

4. In a wire fence fastener and post assembly of the class described, in combination, arelatively stationary vertically disposed fence post, and a plurality of individually adjustable fence wire accommodation and retaining fixtures on said post, said fixtures being adapted to accommodate superposed strands of barbed wire, each fixture including a manually adjusted and regulated clamp and a ring carried by said clamp, the ring being of a diameter to permit the barbed wire to slide freely therethrough so as to support the wire 

